The Cost: $21.95 (+$4 US shipping = $25.95) a month with price breaks for 6 and 12-month prepaid subscriptions.

The Products: Every month, Little Passports sends items to promote learning about scientific mysteries through “hands-on science experiments that encourage interdisciplinary thinking — widely thought of as STEM activities — which includes science, technology, engineering, and math.” Boxes include items such as comic books, experiment activities, achievement badges, and access to online videos and science content, all of which encourage kids to explore the science.

First Cira dove into the Forensic Science comic book. Since this is a subscription for kids 9 and over, there are a lot of tough words in the comic book for 7-year-olds but Cira persevered and said she really enjoyed reading it. The comic book story solves a mystery and is related to the activities in this month’s box.

Next Cira attempted to extract DNA from a small tomato. She tried the first time by herself and when she didn’t succeed she said this box was too hard for her (she is only 7 and the box is geared toward 9 and over). However, she is really into science right now and I want to support that interest so we did the experiment a second time together with a strawberry.

The process to extract the DNA from a strawberry wasn’t simple but wasn’t too difficult either. You just need to read the directions well and follow everything exactly as written. Cira’s first experiment failed because she forgot to do a step. A few items were required from home but we had everything and Little Passports emails a list of what is needed prior to sending the box. They do a great job with communication.

Basically, we mashed up the strawberry and then added water, soap, and salt to it. The soap opens up the cell and the salt helps untangle the DNA. The mixture is then sifted through the filter over a cup. The mixture at the bottom of the cup is added to the test tube, cold alcohol is added and whatever floats the top is the DNA (the little balls in the last photo above.) I thought the experiment was super cool! Cira liked it too but I think she was a little put off by needing my help.

There is so much more in this box to do! The magazine explains writing traits, how to identify and match prints, DNA fingerprinting and more.

There were also two more experiments related to printing and spatter studies. I decided to put these two on the back burner for a week or so since it would be too much for my daughter all at one. I think she may be able to do these two by herself though.

Verdict: We really enjoyed our first Little Passports Science Expeditions. Both Cira and I learned new things and I’m a fan of anything that increases my child’s knowledge of the science. I liked the box a bit more than Cira did as I’m sure some of it was too much for her at 7 years old but I now know we need to do this box together for her to get the most out of it. As for the value, I think this box is a steal at the cost of $21.95 plus $4 shipping. If you know a kid that is into science, this box would be a fabulous gift.

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Shawn is a recent subscription box addict but when she fell, she fell hard. She can’t resist a bargain so she receives all kinds of boxes. Her current favorites are natural, holistic, and health and fitness related.